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METHOD OF MAKING STOCKINGS April 9, 1929 H. VQGT Filed June 5, 1926 ATTORNEYSL Patented 4 Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN IE. 'VOG'.E, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNR TO THE NOLDE ANDHORST COMPANY, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF MAKING STOCKINGS.

Applicationled I une 5,

The main object of my invention is to produce an improved stockingsatisfactorily combining the economic and other advantages of circularknitting, with the better 5 forming of the foot inherent in the slowerfashioning method of straight or flat knitting. To this end I providefor utilizing the cheaper and quicker circular-knitting machine andmethod in the production of the 1o leg and of separated front and reareXten-` sions thereof adapted to form respectively foot-top and heelportions of a completed stocking or sock; aiidfor employing thefashioning flat-knitting .machine and method in knitting onto suchcircular machine product a U-sliaped foot-bottom-and-toe portion theparallel foot-bottom parts of which are subsequently seamed together andto the foottop leg extension; thereby providing a satisfactorilyfashioned tubular foot, the top of which has been produced on thecircular machine and may readily embody such ornamental iguring orstriping as is employed upon the leg.

Fig. 1 shows the circularly knitted product lwith the extensions partedas required for effecting the knitting thereonto of the flatknitted footportion.

Fig, 2 shows' the circularly-knitted leg with foot-top and heel-tabextensions, as preferably formed. -Y

Fig. 3 shows the leg product illustrated in Fig. 2 with tlie halves ofthe parted heel pocket spread as required for the knitting thereonto ofthe flat-knitted foot-bottomand-toel; the latten being also shown withits separated footbottom halves knitted onto the respective selvagedinner edges of the heel-tab parts, and its connecting toe ortion knittedonto the end of the foot-top leg extension.

Fig. 4t shows my completed stocking,the required longitudinal seaming onthe foot bottom and sides and on the rear of the leg being indicated. v

It Ahas been heretofore proposed that the different processes ofcircular and flat knitting be both employed in the production ofstockings, so as to get the recognized economic benefit of circularknitting where the requirements of satisfactory formation andconstruction permit, while securing the recognized advantagesofjiatknitting where most called for; and' my present invention consists inthe improved method of combin- 1926. Serial No. 113,864.

ing the circular and fiat knitting processes, and the improved product,hereinafter fully set forth; the main characteristic features of theinvention being,-irst that the top portion of the foot is produced bycircular knitting in contlnuation of and carrying any ornamentation orpeculiarities of, the tubularly knitted leg;` and second that only theremainder of the tubular foot is flat-knitted, with separated halves ofthe foot-bottom eX- tending forward from the longitudinal edges of theheel-tab leg extension and seemed to complete the tubularA foot.

. Fig. 1 indicates a circularly knitted stocking leg 10, having asemi-c-ircular continuation ofthe front portion thereof to form a ducedas indicated in Fig. 2; the semi-cir cular heel-tab 12 being shown asreciprocatively knitted upon the reali needles only, and knitting of thetubular foot upon all the needles being thereafter resumed as iscommonly done after formation of the usual heel pocket. As the lowerportion 11:l of the tubular foot shown in Fig. 2 is intended to be cutaway on the line a' a so as to re.- sult in the circular knit productshown in Fig. 1, such lower portion may be made so as to involve aslittle wastage as is found to be practicable; or reciprocative knittingmay be resorted to for producing the essential foot-top extension 11.

yFig. 3 shows the flat-knitted foot-bottomand-toe portion of the foot,as knitted onto the flattened-out lower portion of the cir cularlyknitted leg; this flat-knit portion being U-shaped, and comprising thespacedapartl foot-bottom parts 15, 15 and the connecting toe portion15".

As clearly illustrated, eachof the footbottom parts `is knitted onto theselvaged longitudinal edgeof an outwardly turned hee -tab part 12b, andcontinued as a for- Wardly extending strlp to the length of the freefoot-top lleg extension 11, when the connecting toe portion continuation15a is knitted onto the end of said foot-top extension. The forming ofthe toe and fashioning of the foot-bottom parts y15, l5, are of courseeffected as is usual in flat knitting, but With separate carriersserving the needles for the two parts and a single carrier serving forthe toe. Completion of the fashioned tubular foot with its circularlyknitted top, requires only the seaming together of the outer edges ofthe foot-bottom parts 15, 15 along the bottom of the foot as indicatedat 20, and the seaming of `their respective inner edges to the sideedges of the foot top extension 1l. 'along the sides of the foot asindicated at uniformly continuing in the top of the foot absolutely thesame texture as in the leg,

with identical ornamentation often practicable only in circula;knit-ting, and Without danger of the objectionable transfer line whichalmost invariably and inevitably shows in the more expensive products.

What I claim is:

The improved method of manufacturing knitted stockings Which comprises:knitting av tubular leg-portion; suspending circular knitting andforming on the rear of said leg-portion by reciprocative knitting aselvaged-edge heel-tab portion; resuming circular knitting to form atubular foot portion extension of said leg and heel-tab portions;cutting awaythe rear half of said tubular foot portion andlongitudinally dividing said heel tab portion to form an integral instepand separate heel-tab extensions of said tubular leg portion, eachheel-tab portion having a selvage edge; laterally spreading saidheel-tab extensions and flat-knitting to their selvaged edges separatefoot-bottom halves; flat-knitting a toe-pocket portion to the ends ofsaid foot-bottom halves and the end of said instep extension; seainingthe inner edges of said foot-bottom halves to the side edgesof saidinstep extension; and uniting the outer edges of said toe-pocket, footfbottom halves, and divided heel-tabs by a rear seam to complete atubular foot extension for said tubular leg portion.-

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

JOHN lli. VOGT.

